Charity chosen to feel benefit of festival fun

A charity which works to improve the mental health of children will benefit from a village’s 45th daffodil festival.

Up to 10,000 people are expected to visit Thriplow when it lights up with colour for the event, which also involves Morris dancers, heavy horse rides, working sheepdog demonstrations, folk and jazz music, and an array of different food stalls.

Cambridgeshire children’s charity, Blue-smile, has been chosen as this year’s external charity and a proportion of funds raised will help to provide counselling and support in schools.

More than £300,000 has been raised for various local charities since Thriplow Daffodil Weekend started in 1969 and in 2011 the committee received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Dan Murton, from the Thriplow Daffodil Committee, said: “The majority of the money raised goes to local Thriplow charities but every year we donate 10 per cent to an external charity.

“Applications were made last year and The Daffodil Trust chose Bluesmile.”

The chairman of community fundraising for the children’s charity, Annabel Brunner, said they were “absolutely thrilled” to be chosen.

She said: “We rely almost entirely on fundraising efforts for our work in schools.

“To be chosen is a real plus for us and the money will provide really valuable support to children from aged three to 13.”

Mr Murton described the weekend as a fantastic celebration of spring.

He said: “Everyone in the village does something towards the event, be it baking cakes, helping serve teas, working in the car park or picking up litter, and we have coaches visiting from all over the country.

“Since 1969, the village has planted more and more early and late

varieties of daffodils to try to ensure we are prepared for most things the weather can throw at us.

“We started meeting in September to plan the weekend, there is a lot organising to do over the next two months.

“The committee are very excited as this year we will have one marquee which will showcase our favourite food heroes, ranging from locally reared beef to cordials brewed from hedgerow fruits to home baked cakes and pies.”

The festival is open from 11am to 5pm on March 16 and 17. Entry costs £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Children under school age get in for free.